As presidential candidates use gasoline pricing as political platform nonsense, Chrysler has come up with its own platform-- REFUELING AMERICA. It's one carmakers plan to bring back $2.99 gas in order to jumpstart their sagging sales.

Chrysler recently announced a month-long “Let’s Refuel America” program that will give buyers of most of its vehicles a card good for purchases of gasoline or diesel fuel that locks in the price at $2.99 a gallon for three years.

The total amount of fuel that can be bought at the locked-in price will be computed on the basis of the new vehicle’s federal miles-per-gallon rating and 12,000 miles of driving a year. The card is good for purchases of 87-octane regular gasoline, E85 gas-ethanol blend or diesel fuel.

The promotion is intended “as an unprecedented program to help put customers’ minds at ease and do something to help working people who are worried about the volatility of fuel prices and vehicle cost of ownership,” Chrysler president Jim Press said.

Gas promos have accompanied many of the price spikes in the past, but Chrysler’s deal goes well beyond them in its scope and length.

Detroit’s third-largest automaker said its market research found that 76 percent of consumers surveyed say they are “very concerned” or “extremely concerned” about fuel prices, and 83 percent say the prices will affect their summer vacation plans.

Chrysler — known for big, powerful engines like its Hemi V-8s — has been hit hard by the gas price run-up. Sales plummeted 23.5 percent in April compared with the same month last year, the worst drop for any major automaker, according to Autodata. The gas price deal signals that Detroit may be ready to start ramping up incentives after having tried to control inventory by reducing production.

Chrysler’s fixed fuel price also comes with up to $3,000 in “bonus cash” depending on the model.

This promo is brilliant. It hits a hot button in the news-- insane gas prices. It answers a consumer need...lower gas prices. I am in the market for a Kbuzz car. We travel across the country to many different events. Mark my words....by the end of the month, I will have a Chrysler.